How Can I Check My Credit Score
There are both free and paid options available to help you monitor your credit history and score, depending on how in-depth you want your information to be.
There are 5 main ways you can get your credit score: from a bank, credit bureau, credit scoring company, private company or credit counselor.
- The financial institutions you use may provide ways to check your credit score for free.
- You can monitor your credit with each of the three credit bureaus and the two scoring providers.
- If you need help, a certified credit counselor can also help you access your score information.
1. Check with your financial institution
These days, many financial institutions, such as banks, credit unions, credit card issuers and lenders provide ways to help you check your credit score.
However, the best way to check it can vary depending on the institution. Typically, it can be done in one of three ways:
- In some cases, your credit score will be listed directly on your financial statement.
- In other cases, you can see your score by logging into your online account.
- Rarely, you may be asked to enroll in the institution’s credit monitoring service.
Regardless of how you’re asked to access your score, keep in mind that these services are usually offered to account holders free of charge. That said, it’s also important to note that your score may vary depending on which scoring model and reporting agency are used by your institution.
Your credit report will show information about current and past accounts, your payment history and any adverse actions like collections or bankruptcies. These reports are based on information provided by lenders to the three credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.
Meanwhile, your credit score is a numerical representation of how likely you are to repay money you’ve borrowed. A score is assigned to you by each of the two scoring providers, FICO and VantageScore, based on the information in your credit report.
2. Get your score from the three credit bureaus
Each of the three credit bureaus and the two scoring providers offers the opportunity to receive your score directly from them. Each bureau offers paid services that include more frequent score checks and additional services, like identity theft monitoring.
However, here’s how to go about getting the information for free from each one:
Experian: Get your FICO Score
- Navigate to the Experian website and click the “Sign In” button in the top right-hand corner
- Click the “Sign up for Free” button on the right side.
- Input the last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN) and your mobile phone number so that the system can verify your identity.
- Receive a text message from Experian and input the text code to validate your phone number.
- If Experian can’t validate your identity with that information, you may be asked to create your account manually by providing more information, such as your name, date of birth and address.
- Once your identity has been verified, set up your online account credentials by providing an email address to use as a username and a password.
- Answer some security questions and create a four-digit PIN to help keep your account secure if you ever get locked out.
Equifax: Get your VantageScore
- Navigate to the myEquifax registration page.
- Input identifying information, such as your full name, date of birth, Social Security number, mobile phone number and address.
- Create a username and password, as well as answer a security question.
- Verify your account information by receiving a text message to your mobile phone and inputting the code.
TransUnion: Get your VantageScore
- Navigate to the TransUnion membership page.
- Input identifying information, such as your first and last name, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, email address and mailing address.
- Choose a username and password, as well as set up a security question and answer.
- Receive a text message to your mobile number to verify your account.
3. Get your score from FICO
FICO, one of the credit scoring companies, allows you to get your score directly.
- Navigate to the myFico pricing page.
- Choose the Free plan (or another plan of your choosing, for a fee).
- Enter an email address and create a password.
- Input your personal details, including your name, date of birth, Social Security number, mailing address and phone number.
- Review your order confirmation details and input your credit card information if you’ve chosen a paid plan.
- Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Verify your identity by receiving a text message to your mobile phone and inputting the code.
4. Use a third-party provider
In order to receive your free VantageScore, you’ll need to use a third-party provider. LendingTree is one of its provider partners.
LendingTree Spring: Get your VantageScore
LendingTree also offers a credit monitoring app called LendingTree Spring, which can help you access your credit score for free on demand.
Plus, the app will deliver personalized insights for strengthening your score straight to your inbox, real-time credit alerts and, when you need it, loan and credit card quotes on the go.
Credit Karma: Get your VantageScore
Credit Karma offers a similar service. It lets you look at your score anytime, get notified when there are updates to your credit report and receive recommendations for how to grow your credit score.
5. Ask a certified credit counselor
A certified credit counselor can also help you access copies of your score and report.
In addition, they’ll be able to help you go through them, digest the information and provide you with ideas for how to improve your score over time.
How to get your credit report
In addition to monitoring your credit score. It’s a good idea to also check your credit report for errors. Your credit report contains information about past and current accounts, account balances and any negative activity, such as accounts in collections or bankruptcies. This information is used to determine your credit score.
You can obtain free weekly copies of your credit report by visiting annualcreditreport.com.
Learn more about your credit score
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